Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals featured a bizarre altercation between Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic.
The incident, during which Jokic appeared to elbow Ishbia while attempting to rip the ball from his grasp, drew a frustrated response from Denver’s head coach Michael Malone.
When addressing reporters following the Nuggets’ loss on Sunday, Malone seemed to be unaware that it was the Suns owner Ishbia on the other end of the altercation with Jokic. Upon discovering the identity of the individual, Malone’s stance on the matter didn’t change.
“[Jokic] is going to get the ball, and some fan was holding the ball like he wants to be part of the game ... They deemed Nikola doing something that was excessive, I guess, and they gave him a tech, but I still don’t really understand it,” said Malone, via Brandon Krisztal of KOA Colorado.
After being informed that the fan was in fact Ishbia, Malone bluntly said, “I don’t give a s---. I really don’t care.”
Nuggets HC Michael Malone on the technical foul on Joker and interaction with Suns owner Matt Ishbia.
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) May 8, 2023
He referred to him as “some fan” and when asked if it matters that he’s the team’s owner, Malone says “I really don’t give a shit!” @KOAColorado #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/Rz3deEw9uo
Jokic was issued a technical foul on the play, much to the chagrin of Malone. Meanwhile, a fan, not Ishbia, was ejected from the game for coming into contact with the Nuggets center.
Denver was defeated 129–124 in Phoenix. The team will return home to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Tuesday evening. Despite picking up the controversial technical, Jokic set franchise playoff history, racking up 53 points in the loss.
